At a Glance: The current cockfighting law contains language that makes it difficult to enforce because it specifies a certain species of chicken. Proposed legislation would close the loophole by expanding the law to include any kind of bird forced into fighting for sport. It also increases penalties by putting them on par with dog fighting and makes it easier to prove a cockfighting operation exists. The Louisiana House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice advanced the bill Tuesday (April 29), but not without some debate from veteran cockfighter from Ville Platte.

The bill: Senate Bill 523, sponsored by Sen. J.P. Morrell, changes the definition of "chicken" to be any bird, game fowl, rooster or other bird. The bill also outlaws cockfighting paraphernalia, such as spurs or knives, when coupled with evidence that its being used to train chickens to fight. The bill also increases penalties for first and second offenses.

The debate: James Demoruelle, who identified himself at a previous committee meeting as a 53-year veteran cockfighter, asked lawmakers to consider addressing the seizure of birds following a cockfighting raid or arrest, prior to conviction. He took issue, for example, that the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LSPCA) killed hundreds of roosters seized in a cockfighting raid last year in eastern New Orleans before the owner had been convicted. He said loss of the birds amounts to a loss of resources and money. Morrell, though, argued that like in dogfighting cases, the alleged offender can produce a bond to hold the animals until the case plays out in court.

Demoruelle also defended the sport, which was outlawed in 2008, calling it "historic." Morrelll countered, saying the state should not seek to emulate thousands-years-old sports, like human gladiatorial combat.

Demoruelle: "That's all part of being an American. You can decide to have whatever you want. He had a large business."

"There was cockfighting when all the prophets sand Jesus walked the earth, and none of them chose to say anything in any parable or anywhere in the Bible." - Demoruelle

Read more: The legislation will address some issues that mired law enforcement's case against those charged following the seizure of more than 700 roosters in an eastern New Orleans cockfighting bust, which Demoruelle referenced in his testimony.

Lagniappe: The discussion of the bill excluded a mention of "chicken boxing," which dominated debate of the legislation on the Senate side. Sen. Elbert Guillory, R-Opelousas, was worried the new measures in the anti-cockfighting law would criminalize chicken boxing, a less vicious form of chicken combat. The debate garnered some national attention that focused on Guillory's defense and details he provided of what he called a "legitimate sport."